Photo by ISIPhotos.com Sporting Kansas City's hold on the Eastern Conference got even tighter on Friday as the East leaders outplayed their closest competitor in the East to post an impressive victory and extend their lead to five points. Graham Zusi scored goals in each half and Sporting KC...

After leading Chelsea to the UCL, I don't think it's fair to say he wouldn't be as big a draw. No one's going to be as big a draw as Beckham, simply because Beckham spent years cross-promoting himself. Drogba (like Henry) is a soccer star known for soccer, not underwear commercials. The "casual" American fan might not recognize him, but true soccer fans would in a heartbeat.
No matter, he went for the big money in China that may get pulled from the team and force a move for him elsewhere anyway.

If you did not think MLS had a serious interest in luring Didier Drogba to North America this summer, think again. Speaking at a panel at the Bloomberg Sports Business Summit in New York on Thursday, MLS comissioner Don Garber said that the league offered Drogba a salary of more than $10 m...

Berry's nod is well deserved. Shows maturity and composure in the CB position of a vet. Makes mistakes, but having Arne Friedrich alongside him is about as good a teacher as you're going to get. If the powers that be actually give a defender ROTY honors, Berry's a no-brainer.

Photo by ISIphotos.com When the Chicago Fire selected University of Louisville centerback Austin Berry with their first-round pick in January's SuperDraft, they hoped they were getting a player who could come in and contribute immediately. While injuries across the Fire back line may have ac...

Three matches unfold across Major League Soccer tonight, each with its own playoff implications as the regular season's stretch run continues. In the Eastern Conference, a matchup between two teams currently occupying playoff spots sees the Chicago Fire host the Houston Dynamo with just one...

This had little, if anything to do with Frank Klopas. Klopas was put numerous times in the position of having to be spokesperson, feeding the media what Guillermo Petrei and Javier Leon wanted him to say. This was mainly on their shoulders, as well as Robayo and Puppo. Puppo was Javier Leon's pick, and I don't think anyone in Chicago could have guessed things would have gone the way they did with Robayo, but those things sometimes happen too (Nery Castillo, anyone?).
As for "old times", I think it depends on what kind of "old times" you're referring to. The last two years where wins were a struggle and the Fire missed the playoffs, or the old times where making the playoffs was a given. Especially since they're sitting fairly comfortably in a playoff spot currently, with a favorable schedule the rest of the way out to wrap up the season.

Photo by ISIphotos.com The curious case of Sebastian Grazzini and the Chicago Fire has come to a resolution. The Fire loaned Grazzini to Argentine club Atletico de Rafaela on Friday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Fire had exercised their option on the Argentine playmaker for a...

The few who do know aren't talking about it, and probably never will. Also, it's worth noting that Grazzini never spent more than 1 1/2 seasons at any one previous club since starting his pro career. In that regard, the cards for maintaining a long term relationship with the club were already stacked against him.

Photo by ISIphotos.com The curious case of Sebastian Grazzini and the Chicago Fire has come to a resolution. The Fire loaned Grazzini to Argentine club Atletico de Rafaela on Friday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Fire had exercised their option on the Argentine playmaker for a...

No fee was paid for the loan. Grazzini, for his part, could've handled the situation differently (ie-stayed and played out the rest of the season), but the FO botched things up pretty badly to the point that he probably didn't want to stay. Grazzini was promised more money, but the FO never delivered thanks to bringing in Puppo as a DP at the beginning of the season.

Photo by ISIphotos.com The curious case of Sebastian Grazzini and the Chicago Fire has come to a resolution. The Fire loaned Grazzini to Argentine club Atletico de Rafaela on Friday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Fire had exercised their option on the Argentine playmaker for a...

At one point last night, Klopas did just that, taking Pause out in favor of Alex.
Flaco had a solid 45 mins. before tweaking his ankle, and MacDonald had a better showing than against San Jose. By his own admission, he said his first 15 minutes were rough, but that he felt better. He also said his fitness is improving day by day, which is a good sign for the Fire down the stretch.

By JEFFREY KRAUSE BRIDGEVIEW, IL- The Chicago Fire returned to Toyota Park Saturday night to take on Toronto FC, relying on a game-winning header from rookie standout Austin Berry late in the 2nd half. The win extends Chicago's unbeaten streak at home against Eastern Conference opponents, w...

Robayo's lack of playing time is a talking point, and one that could land him back at his old club before the end of the transfer window. Alex was only eligible for this game, so not sure why the issue there. Puppo picked up a knock in training this week and didn't travel, although he's been highly underwhelming in appearances this year. With Rolfe back, and the Fire reportedly close to signing a striker, I don't see Puppo getting much time moving forward.

Sporting Kansas City has made a habit of overwhelming opponents at Livestrong Sporting Park, but on Friday night the dangerous KC attack just could not find a way to beat Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The young netminder made five saves, most of the acrobatic variety to keep Sporting...

Some good points there. Blanco was definitely a pivotal player for the Fire, even as someone at the end of his career. Gibbs is solid if he's healthy (which has been an issue), and Pause has tenure with the club, which accounts for his near $200k guaranteed comp. I believe it's more important for the Fire to find a target striker to compliment Oduro (who's on pace to equal his 2011 output), and Rolfe.
A DP signing would be good, but I don't necessarily think bringing in a DP just for the sake of having a DP is the answer. While some DP signings have worked well for clubs, some, arguably, have not. I think it's more important for the Fire to find a player who's going to fit in Frank Klopas' system and be able to have an immediate impact, rather than whether or not that player holds a DP title.

Photo by ISIphotos.com By JEFFREY KRAUSE Chicago Fire playmaker Sebastian Grazzini is currently in ongoing contract negotiations with the club, and the 31-year-old Argentine is getting a bit anxious to see the next step of his career resolved. Grazzini's contract status must be decided by Jul...

Photo by ISIphotos.com By JEFFREY KRAUSE Chicago Fire playmaker Sebastian Grazzini is currently in ongoing contract negotiations with the club, and the 31-year-old Argentine is getting a bit anxious to see the next step of his career resolved. Grazzini's contract status must be decided by Jul...

Photo by ISIphotos.com By JEFFREY KRAUSE Chicago Fire playmaker Sebastian Grazzini is currently in ongoing contract negotiations with the club, and the 31-year-old Argentine is getting a bit anxious to see the next step of his career resolved. Grazzini's contract status must be decided by July 1, a date that is rapidly approaching. "If economically, financially there's a good contract, good offer, I'm willing to stay," Grazzini said through a translator. "But as everyone has seen they've taken a long time to decide. "If I hadn't played well it would be understandable. I don't want to have problems here or... Continue reading

By JEFFREY KRAUSE Chris Rolfe has yet to see the gameday roster for the Chicago Fire due to an ankle injury he suffered after returning to the club following a stint of more than two years in Denmark. That could be changing in the immediate future, though. Rolfe is nearing his return to the playing field, something that may happen as soon as Saturday's match against the Columbus Crew. "He's out here striking the ball and moving around which is a good sign," Fire coach Frank Klopas said. "It's a matter of days before he's available to start training full-on... Continue reading

Chicago has not lost a home match to an Eastern Conference opponent since October 2010. That streak was put to the test Saturday night when conference leaders Sporting Kansas City entered Toyota Park to take on the Fire. A second half red card to Roger Espinoza and a late goal by Dominic Oduro kept Chicago's unbeaten streak in tact, while also extending Sporting KC's own losing streak in the process. A Chicago Fire penalty kick, a red card to Roger Espinoza and Dominic Oduro's game-winning goal helped the Fire post a 2-1 victory over Sporting KC on Saturday night. Bobby... Continue reading